Lupus Erythematosus LE (pronounced: er-uh-thee-muh-toe-sus)
was given its name by a 19th century French doctor who thought that the facial
rash of some people with lupus looked like the bite or scratch of a wolf ("lupus" are
Latin for wolf and "erythematosus" is Latin for red).
Lupus Erythematosus were first recognized as a disorder of the skin. The name
was given to differentiate this disorder from the skin changes found when
tuberculosis affects the skin. The severity of the systemic disorder appears to be
inversely related to the severity of the skin disorder.
Lupus are an unpredictable disease. Signs of the disease appear and disappear,
sometimes for no apparent reason. Because lupus assume so many different forms
and can change, finding the right balance of treatment for you may take time. Your
treatment will depend on the symptoms you experience and the organs affected.
Once an effective treatment program has been started, continue to follow it. If your
symptoms change, let your doctor know so that you can work together to modify
your program.
People who may have Lupus also experience symptoms such as: Fatigue along
with dizziness, headaches or depression, unexplained fever, which may be an early
sign of lupus
Even though the cause of lupus is unknown, researchers think that many factors may trigger the disease. Genetics may play a role. Some people may have a genetic predisposition to
lupus that is then activated by an infection, certain medications, or extreme
physical or emotional stress. The hormone estrogen may also play a role in
lupus and could help explain why it is more common in females than males.
Lupus also occur more frequently in African Americans, Asian Americans,
Latinos, and Native Americans than in Caucasians.
Lupus can affect almost any part of your body, including your joints, skin,
kidneys, heart, lungs, blood vessels, and brain. There is no way to know what
part of your body will be affected. For most people though, lupus are a mild
disease affecting only a few parts of your body, and some patients don't get
inner organ problems (like in the heart and lungs), but do have skin and joint
problems.
A blood test called an ANA, which detects a group of autoantibodies found in the blood of
people with lupus. These autoantibodies attack the body's own cells. However,
this test is not diagnostic of lupus. Other laboratory tests to detect specific
antibodies such as anti-DNA or an anti. An a SM may be helpful in diagnosing
lupus or related diseases.
The Treatment plan for lupus includes taking medications to reduce the
inflammation and reduce the activity of the immune system, balancing rest with
exercise, and maintaining a proper diet.
Tina Magatalas is the author of www.lupus411.com